Online Matchmaking Service For Hunters And Landowners

Published: August - 2005

Now here's an interesting find. It's a company that describes itself as an online matchmaking service for hunters and landowners. It's called The Hunting Lease Network, and it's a subsidiary of Farmers National Company, the largest farm and ranch management company in the US. The Hunting Lease Network connects landowners with sportsmen looking for a lease. The company has been around for 10 years and recently announced a franchising program to expand the amount of property it offers throughout all 50 states.

The way it works is that landowners post their land on the Hunting Lease Network web site. Sportsmen can view maps and other property details, including a breakdown of how much acreage is timber, pasture, wetlands, etc. Bidders can even arrange to visit the properties before submitting bids for land they're interested in leasing. The competitive bidding process helps provide fair opportunities to lease at market prices. When a hunter wins the bid, the Hunting Lease Network then facilitates the lease agreement and manages the relationship between the landowner and the hunter.

Before a property is placed on the Hunting Lease Network site, the lease value and potential is assessed by a Network representative. Landowners must have a minimum of one million dollars in hunting liability insurance in order to enroll. The organization also conducts an annual evaluation, collecting harvest data that is analyzed by professional fisheries, wildlife and habitat biologists to monitor usage, harvest and success. The Network also establishes rules of use so lessees are aware of access, seasons available, areas closed and wildlife management practices. They also issue a Lease Holder ID card that identifies the hunter's legal right to access and hunt/fish the land according to the lease.

Landowners pay an enrollment fee to list a property, and pay the Network a portion of the lease amount. But hunters can register on the site for free to access the list of property leases up for auction. If the Network doesn't have something available that suits your needs when you register, it will send out e-mail updates with new lease........(continued)